Vacuum filter assembly

Abstract

A filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run having a filter housing, a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing, a sweep plate attached to the filter housing, a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate, and a plurality of ring-shaped brushes mounted to the sweep plate, wherein at least one of the plurality of ring-shaped brushes surrounds each of the plurality of filter elements. Alternatively, a filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run having a filter housing having a upper portion, a lower portion and a central portion, a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing proximate the upper portion, a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate, and a cylindrical brush mounted in the center portion of the filter housing, wherein the cylindrical brush has a plurality of bristles pointing radially outward, said bristles contacting an outer portion of the plurality of filter elements.

1. A filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run, comprising:
 a filter housing having an upper portion and a lower portion; 
 a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing proximate the upper portion; 
 a sweep plate attached to the filter housing proximate the lower portion; 
 a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate; 
 a plurality of ring-shaped brushes mounted to the sweep plate, wherein at least one of the plurality of ring-shaped brushes surrounds each of the plurality of filter elements; and an actuator configured to move the sweep plate between the top portion and bottom portion of the filter housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The filter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter top mounted at the upper portion of the filter housing. 
     
     
       3. The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filter elements includes 12 filter elements and the plurality of ring-shaped brushes includes 12 ring shaped brushes. 
     
     
       4. The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a pneumatic actuator and the filter assembly further includes inlet and outlet ports to supply air to the actuator. 
     
     
       5. The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filter elements is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
       6. The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of filter elements is releasably attached to the filter mounting plate with a ring filter lock. 
     
     
       7. The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter housing 1-2 feet in diameter. 
     
     
       8. The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of filter elements is about 2-5 inches in diameter. 
     
     
       9. The filter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of filter elements is approximately 2.375 inches in diameter. 
     
     
       10. The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ring-shaped brushes includes bristles. 
     
     
       11. The filter assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the bristles are made of nylon, stainless steel or brass. 
     
     
       12. A filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run, comprising:
 a filter housing having a upper portion, a lower portion and a central portion; 
 a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing proximate the upper portion; 
 a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate, wherein the filter elements are configured to rotate; and 
 a cylindrical brush mounted in the center portion of the filter housing, wherein the cylindrical brush has a plurality of bristles pointing radially outward, said bristles contacting an outer portion of the plurality of filter elements. 
 
     
     
       13. The filter assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a chain configured to rotate the plurality of filter elements. 
     
     
       14. The filter assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of filter elements is about 2-5 inches in diameter. 
     
     
       15. The filter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of filter elements is approximately 2.375 inches in diameter. 
     
     
       16. The filter assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a drive belt configured to rotate the plurality of filter elements. 
     
     
       17. The filter assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a motor to power the drive belt. 
     
     
       18. The filter assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a pneumatic actuator to power the drive belt. 
     
     
       19. A filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run comprising:
 means for housing the filter assembly; 
 means for mounting a plurality of filter elements within the means for housing; 
 means for mechanically scraping outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements; 
 means for sweeping the means for mechanically scraping along the outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements; 
 means for actuating that moves the means for sweeping between a top portion and a bottom portion of the means for housing. 
 
     
     
       20. A filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run, comprising:
 means for housing the filter assembly; 
 means for mounting a plurality of filter elements within the means for housing; 
 means for mechanically scraping outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements; 
 means for sweeping that rotates the plurality of filter elements such that the outer surfaces contact the means for mechanically scraping; and 
 means for rotating the plurality of filter elements. 
 
     
     
       21. A method of mechanically removing silicon monoxide from a filter assembly during a crystal growth run, comprising:
 mounting a plurality of filter elements within a housing; 
 sweeping a plurality of ring-shaped brushes along outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements; and 
 mechanically scraping outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements by moving the plurality of ring-shaped brushes to scrape along a length of the outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of mechanically removing silicon monoxide of  claim 21 , further comprising attaching the plurality of ring-shaped brushes to a sweep plate. 
     
     
       23. The method of mechanically removing silicon monoxide of  claim 22 , wherein sweeping ring-shaped brushes along the outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements includes operating an actuator which moves the sweep plate such that the plurality of ring-shaped brushes scrapes along a length of the outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements. 
     
     
       24. A method of mechanically removing silicon monoxide from a filter assembly during a crystal growth run comprising:
 mounting a plurality of filter elements within a housing; 
 rotating the plurality of filter elements such that outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements contacts a cylindrical brush having a plurality of bristles pointing radially outward; and 
 mechanically scraping outer surfaces of the plurality of filter elements. 
 
     
     
       25. The method of mechanically removing silicon monoxide of  claim 24 , wherein rotating the plurality of filter elements comprises motorizing a drive belt attached to the plurality of filter elements.